The writer of this poem
Is taller than a house
As beautiful as a butterfly
As shy as a mouse
As short-tempered as a firework
As bright as the sun
As stubborn as a mule
As sweet as an iced-bun
As cool as an ice-cream
As wicked as a witch
As tired as a sloth
As deep as a ditch
The writer of this poem
Is hot and needs a fan
She’s at home instead of school
She’s been sick since the day began.
Monday, 29 June 2009
Saturday, 27 June 2009
the reader of this poem
The reader of this poem
is as tall as tree
as light as a feather
and buzzes like a bee
as bright as a sun
as quiet as a mouse
as cool as a fridge
as itchy as a louse
as silly as a koala
as high as a kite
as skinny as a stick
the reader of this poem
is as white as a snow drop
as cold as ice
and as summery as a flip flop
is as tall as tree
as light as a feather
and buzzes like a bee
as bright as a sun
as quiet as a mouse
as cool as a fridge
as itchy as a louse
as silly as a koala
as high as a kite
as skinny as a stick
the reader of this poem
is as white as a snow drop
as cold as ice
and as summery as a flip flop
junior word voodoo rocks (redraft)
It is an amazing labyrinth of words
everyday I'm on just because it is Aladdin's adventure
I'm flying with birds
i explore word voodoo
so i venture
never is it blocked
animals would love it if they talked
so it rocks
so i am happy I've got it
everyday I'm on just because it is Aladdin's adventure
I'm flying with birds
i explore word voodoo
so i venture
never is it blocked
animals would love it if they talked
so it rocks
so i am happy I've got it
The Writer Of This Poem.....
The writer of this poem
Is as kind as a bird,
As energetic as young kittens,
As fast as a runner winning first second and third.
Free just like angels,
Pretty just like swans.
Arty just like Henry Moore
Clever just like cons
As musical as Escarla,
As sweets as a cherry.
As sporty as a gold medalist,
As strong as a ferry.
The reader of this poem
Is as lucky as a millionaire,
As graceful as horses galloping
As juicy a a pear.
Is as kind as a bird,
As energetic as young kittens,
As fast as a runner winning first second and third.
Free just like angels,
Pretty just like swans.
Arty just like Henry Moore
Clever just like cons
As musical as Escarla,
As sweets as a cherry.
As sporty as a gold medalist,
As strong as a ferry.
The reader of this poem
Is as lucky as a millionaire,
As graceful as horses galloping
As juicy a a pear.
Friday, 26 June 2009
My world (redraft)
My world is a flower waiting to blossom,
when does not come and it faces trouble.
My world is a hot air balloon set on fire,
while the edge of my eye starts to bubble.
My world is a kingdom with people voting me princess
while I wait anxiously to see what's going to happen.
My world is a creepy castle,
in which I wait still perplexed.
when does not come and it faces trouble.
My world is a hot air balloon set on fire,
while the edge of my eye starts to bubble.
My world is a kingdom with people voting me princess
while I wait anxiously to see what's going to happen.
My world is a creepy castle,
in which I wait still perplexed.
the reader of this poem
The reader of this poem
is smart as can be,
As bossy as a teacher,
as tall as a tree.
As quiet as a mouse,
as noisy as a train,
As delicate as a baby,
as amazing as the rain.
As dainty as a dancer,
as funny as a clown,
As pretty as a ruby,
as gorgeous as a gown.
The reader of this poem
may be small or big,
Could be quiet or loud,
but as sweet as a fig!
is smart as can be,
As bossy as a teacher,
as tall as a tree.
As quiet as a mouse,
as noisy as a train,
As delicate as a baby,
as amazing as the rain.
As dainty as a dancer,
as funny as a clown,
As pretty as a ruby,
as gorgeous as a gown.
The reader of this poem
may be small or big,
Could be quiet or loud,
but as sweet as a fig!
The Reader Of This Poem
The Reader Of This Poem
is as smart as a kid,
as bouncy as a spring,
and stiff as a lid.
As quiet as the wind,
as coiling as a binder
as crazy as chemistry,
as hunting as a finder.
As sharp as a knife,
as funny as a clown,
As speedy as a ninja,
as sad as a frown.
The reader of this poem
has gone to play games,
He's finished his poem,
and is not quite the same!
is as smart as a kid,
as bouncy as a spring,
and stiff as a lid.
As quiet as the wind,
as coiling as a binder
as crazy as chemistry,
as hunting as a finder.
As sharp as a knife,
as funny as a clown,
As speedy as a ninja,
as sad as a frown.
The reader of this poem
has gone to play games,
He's finished his poem,
and is not quite the same!
Thursday, 25 June 2009
The Sun (redraft)
The sun is a chili on fire in my mouth,
Shimmering red glossy and bright.
Sunshine is a flower blossoming all pretty,
The same as flowers we depend on its light.
It is an orange round big and strong,
The juicy citrus rays put laughter on my face.
The sun is a big beautiful bar of gold,
I wish I could carry the sun in my case.
Shimmering red glossy and bright.
Sunshine is a flower blossoming all pretty,
The same as flowers we depend on its light.
It is an orange round big and strong,
The juicy citrus rays put laughter on my face.
The sun is a big beautiful bar of gold,
I wish I could carry the sun in my case.
The Reader of this Poem
The reader of this poem
Is as soft as a feather
Harder than pebbles
As unpredictable as the weather
As loud as a trombone
Sneaker than a rat
As tall as tree
As viscous as a cat
As round as a ball
As big as a Whale
As red as a stawberry
As long as a tail
The reader of this poem
Is a cute thing
He's a cute baby
And he loves to sing.
Is as soft as a feather
Harder than pebbles
As unpredictable as the weather
As loud as a trombone
Sneaker than a rat
As tall as tree
As viscous as a cat
As round as a ball
As big as a Whale
As red as a stawberry
As long as a tail
The reader of this poem
Is a cute thing
He's a cute baby
And he loves to sing.
happiness (redraft)
Happiness is when you find gold
and keep it forever.
Happiness is your family
when you see them together.
Happiness is a seed
which becomes a flower.
Happiness is being a superhero
with so much power.
and keep it forever.
Happiness is your family
when you see them together.
Happiness is a seed
which becomes a flower.
Happiness is being a superhero
with so much power.
The Reader of this Poem
The reader of this poem
Is as musical as a voice with a beautiful tone
Cleverer than an Oxford scholar
As chatty as a teenager on their mobile phone
As blue as rain on a hot summer’s day
More exhausted than a runner after a long distance race
As unique as my Asperger’s gene
Lean like the aglet at the end of my lace
As raging as a volcano
More funny than a fart
Playful like a kitten
As loving as my heart
The reader of this poem
Is as thoughtful as a nurse
But if you get to know him
He’s lonelier than the universe
Is as musical as a voice with a beautiful tone
Cleverer than an Oxford scholar
As chatty as a teenager on their mobile phone
As blue as rain on a hot summer’s day
More exhausted than a runner after a long distance race
As unique as my Asperger’s gene
Lean like the aglet at the end of my lace
As raging as a volcano
More funny than a fart
Playful like a kitten
As loving as my heart
The reader of this poem
Is as thoughtful as a nurse
But if you get to know him
He’s lonelier than the universe
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
My World (Redraft)
My world is a delicate tulip,
That flowers in joyful spring.
My world is a beautiful eagle,
That's about to spread its wings.
My world is a towering tree,
That wavers in the breeze.
My world is a whole new planet,
That has oceans, rivers and seas.
That flowers in joyful spring.
My world is a beautiful eagle,
That's about to spread its wings.
My world is a towering tree,
That wavers in the breeze.
My world is a whole new planet,
That has oceans, rivers and seas.
The Reader of this Poem
The reader of this poem
Is as sensitive as a new born
As stroppy as a teenager
As loud as a cockeral at dawn.
As clever as Stephen Hawkin
As exaggerating as a boaster
As creative as Picasso
As hot as a toaster
As giggly as a hyena
As fun as a theme park
As young as you were once
As angry as a bark
The reader of this poem
Is as pretty as a rose
As fashionable as Stella McCartney
Or so the legend goes.
Is as sensitive as a new born
As stroppy as a teenager
As loud as a cockeral at dawn.
As clever as Stephen Hawkin
As exaggerating as a boaster
As creative as Picasso
As hot as a toaster
As giggly as a hyena
As fun as a theme park
As young as you were once
As angry as a bark
The reader of this poem
Is as pretty as a rose
As fashionable as Stella McCartney
Or so the legend goes.
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Home (Redraft)
My home is the Empire State building,
It tickles the sky and the clouds.
My home is a mystical maze,
An easy escape from the crowds.
My home is a manic menagerie,
Can you count all my guinea pigs' paws?
My home is the London Zoo,
Come and see alll my sows and my boars.
It tickles the sky and the clouds.
My home is a mystical maze,
An easy escape from the crowds.
My home is a manic menagerie,
Can you count all my guinea pigs' paws?
My home is the London Zoo,
Come and see alll my sows and my boars.
Monday, 22 June 2009
The Reader of this Poem
The reader of this poem is as generous as a millionare,
They sail the British Isles as if there's no time to spare,
This person looks like they're not in despair,
The person reading this looks like they care.
As wonderous and as helpful as a guide,
They helped me go down the Junior Wordvoodoo slide,
This person is as graceful as a swans delicate glide,
It's like the person reading this is always alongside.
They helped me go down the Junior Wordvoodoo slide,
This person is as graceful as a swans delicate glide,
It's like the person reading this is always alongside.
They look like they have a good life to live,
This person is as stuck as a malteser in a sieve,
When they leave it's like the crash of the Titanic,
This person is as small as an olive.
The reader of this poem looks like they love KFC,
As they move they're shadow looks like a tree,
This person looks as if they would like a cup of tea,
This person looks as if they're age is three.
Happiness (Redraft)
Happiness is giant playground
Where I can do as I please.
Happiness is a rollercoaster
Hair flying in the breeze.
Happiness is a sparkling sea
Waves lapping at my feet.
Happiness is the sound of music
Hips moving to the beat.
Where I can do as I please.
Happiness is a rollercoaster
Hair flying in the breeze.
Happiness is a sparkling sea
Waves lapping at my feet.
Happiness is the sound of music
Hips moving to the beat.
The Sun (Redraft)
The sun is yellow icing,
Set upon a sky blue cake,
The sun is a colourful ball,
Lost in the glistening lake.
The sun is a bird about to take to flight,
The sun is a spiral of sheer delight,
The sun is my only fun,
Oh how I love the sun.
Set upon a sky blue cake,
The sun is a colourful ball,
Lost in the glistening lake.
The sun is a bird about to take to flight,
The sun is a spiral of sheer delight,
The sun is my only fun,
Oh how I love the sun.
Sunday, 21 June 2009
The Reader of this Poem (An example)
The reader of this poem
Is as old as a leaning oak
Wiser than a learned owl
Funnier than your favourite joke
As tired as a weary sloth
More complex than a code
Stranger than a foreign tongue
As grumpy as a toad
As shy as every hiding snail
More stubborn than a teenage girl
As selfish as a preening cat
As precious as a pearl
The reader of this poem
Is opposites rolled into one
He's never sure quite what he is
He's finished - and he's just begun.
Is as old as a leaning oak
Wiser than a learned owl
Funnier than your favourite joke
As tired as a weary sloth
More complex than a code
Stranger than a foreign tongue
As grumpy as a toad
As shy as every hiding snail
More stubborn than a teenage girl
As selfish as a preening cat
As precious as a pearl
The reader of this poem
Is opposites rolled into one
He's never sure quite what he is
He's finished - and he's just begun.
Task 2: A Simile Poem
Task 2 is in TWO PARTS - so please make sure you complete both of them!
Part One
In order to show your moderators each fortnight that you are definitely learning from and taking on board their comments, I would like each task from now on to begin with a REDRAFT of the previous task.
This week, therefore, I would like you to read:
Some of you might choose to start from scratch, and attempt a totally new Metaphor Poem - especially those of you who didn't manage to follow the rules first time around. Others of you - especially those of you who have managed most or all of the rules already - might just want to tinker with what you wrote, changing it here and there to improve it in line with what your moderators said. This is SO important. Without this redrafting, it will be HARD to ensure you continue to improve; and EASY to end up learning very little from each task.
Part Two
Last week we worked on metaphors. This week we will work on similes.
A simile is another way of describing something - but this time, you do so by saying it is LIKE something else. Anything which compares something to something else (usually using the words "like" or "as") is a simile.
Why not click here, here or here to try out some exercises which will help you to learn even more about using similes in an interesting and effective way.
Now have a look at this wonderful poem by Roger McGough. It is full of similes!
Remember: if you are stuck, have a look at my own attempt which I shall post shortly. And if you are STILL stuck, ask your teacher or parent to explain the task to you again (just make sure that your poem itself is ALL your own work!).
englishguru
Part One
In order to show your moderators each fortnight that you are definitely learning from and taking on board their comments, I would like each task from now on to begin with a REDRAFT of the previous task.
This week, therefore, I would like you to read:
- your own Task 1 metaphor poem again several times;
- your moderators' comments again several times (and ask them to explain them further if you don't know what they mean);
- every other Task 1 poem by the other pupils (and their comments too).
Some of you might choose to start from scratch, and attempt a totally new Metaphor Poem - especially those of you who didn't manage to follow the rules first time around. Others of you - especially those of you who have managed most or all of the rules already - might just want to tinker with what you wrote, changing it here and there to improve it in line with what your moderators said. This is SO important. Without this redrafting, it will be HARD to ensure you continue to improve; and EASY to end up learning very little from each task.
Part Two
Last week we worked on metaphors. This week we will work on similes.
A simile is another way of describing something - but this time, you do so by saying it is LIKE something else. Anything which compares something to something else (usually using the words "like" or "as") is a simile.
Why not click here, here or here to try out some exercises which will help you to learn even more about using similes in an interesting and effective way.
Now have a look at this wonderful poem by Roger McGough. It is full of similes!
The Writer of this PoemYour task this week is to write your own poem entitled, "The Reader of this Poem". And I would like you to follow these rules:
The writer of this poem
Is taller than a tree
As keen as the North wind
As handsome as can be
As bold as a boxing-glove
As sharp as a nib
As strong as scaffolding
As tricky as a fib
As smooth as a lolly-ice
As quick as a lick
As clean as a chemist-shop
As clever as a tick
The writer of this poem
Never ceases to amaze
He’s one in a million billion
(or so the poem says!)
Roger McGough
- Like McGough's poem, your poem should have FOUR STANZAS (stanza is the proper word for 'verse'); each stanza should have four lines. N.B. Your lines should be a similar length, just to ensure the poem 'flows' properly.
- Each stanza should rhyme Line 2 with Line 4; Lines 1 and 3 do not need to rhyme. N.B. Make sure you avoid the rhyme trap!
- Your first stanza should begin: "The reader of this poem..."; then the rest of the 1st stanza and the whole of the 2nd and 3rd stanzas should consist of a different simile on each line.
- Your final stanza should also begin: "The reader of this poem..." - but you can finish it off how you like. Have fun doing so (but make sure it is still four lines of similar length, and that it also rhymes like the others).
- Your similes can begin with LIKE or AS (or even ___ER THAN) - or a mixture of all three.
- Your similes should be as original and unique as possible.
- Your similes should aim to be both simple (so they make sense) but also complex (so they contain a deeper meaning).
Remember: if you are stuck, have a look at my own attempt which I shall post shortly. And if you are STILL stuck, ask your teacher or parent to explain the task to you again (just make sure that your poem itself is ALL your own work!).
englishguru
Well done on Task 1!
Well done on such fantastic writing for Task 1.
Your metaphor poems were wonderful - and full of such creativity and originality I often couldn't believe they were written by such young writers. Congratulations!
The best poems were those which followed EVERY rule I set in the task itself, but ALSO managed to take some risks with language and rhyme too. Like all the best art (poetry, music, paintings...), the most wonderful work often comes out of the STRUGGLE to wrestle with rules and guidelines without ending up being ordinary as a result.
You MUST read your moderators' comments carefully. They are FULL of useful nuggets of advice and guidance which will help make your writing even better every time you post. You might also want to read the comments written about some of the other pupils' work; in fact, if you are REALLY keen, you would do well to read EVERY other post AND its comments - as this way you are likely to make massive progress and improvements yourself EVERY fortnight.
You are also welcome to respond to your moderators' comments with a comment of your own. Perhaps you would like to thank them for what they wrote; or explain something they didn't understand? Maybe you could ask them to expand on one of their suggestions; or give you some more examples of how you could do things differently? Whatever you do, your moderators would, I am sure, be delighted to discuss your work with you further - and the comments tool is the perfect way for this to happen.
Now on to Task 2...
Your metaphor poems were wonderful - and full of such creativity and originality I often couldn't believe they were written by such young writers. Congratulations!
The best poems were those which followed EVERY rule I set in the task itself, but ALSO managed to take some risks with language and rhyme too. Like all the best art (poetry, music, paintings...), the most wonderful work often comes out of the STRUGGLE to wrestle with rules and guidelines without ending up being ordinary as a result.
You MUST read your moderators' comments carefully. They are FULL of useful nuggets of advice and guidance which will help make your writing even better every time you post. You might also want to read the comments written about some of the other pupils' work; in fact, if you are REALLY keen, you would do well to read EVERY other post AND its comments - as this way you are likely to make massive progress and improvements yourself EVERY fortnight.
You are also welcome to respond to your moderators' comments with a comment of your own. Perhaps you would like to thank them for what they wrote; or explain something they didn't understand? Maybe you could ask them to expand on one of their suggestions; or give you some more examples of how you could do things differently? Whatever you do, your moderators would, I am sure, be delighted to discuss your work with you further - and the comments tool is the perfect way for this to happen.
Now on to Task 2...
colours
Red is roses
Green is great
Pink is pretty
Blue is bashful
Purple is painful
Yellow is young
Lilac is lucious
Grey is gangster
Silver is sour
This is a colourful world
Its great and bold
One more thing it is also bold.
Green is great
Pink is pretty
Blue is bashful
Purple is painful
Yellow is young
Lilac is lucious
Grey is gangster
Silver is sour
This is a colourful world
Its great and bold
One more thing it is also bold.
Monday, 15 June 2009
happiness
happiness is when you find gold,
and keep it forever.
happiness is your family,
when you see them together.
happiness is a gorgeous rose,
which is about to bloom.
happiness can be a celebration,
and can never bring doom.
and keep it forever.
happiness is your family,
when you see them together.
happiness is a gorgeous rose,
which is about to bloom.
happiness can be a celebration,
and can never bring doom.
My world (Redraft)
My world is a DS,
where I can create.
My world is the internet,
where I see words
on a flickering screen
My world is school,
where I can play with
my friends in peace.
where I can create.
My world is the internet,
where I see words
on a flickering screen
My world is school,
where I can play with
my friends in peace.
Saturday, 13 June 2009
Happiness
Happiness is a giant play ground
Where I do as I please
Happiness is a rollercoaster
Hair flying in the breeze
Happiness is a sparkling sea
Waves lapping at my feet
Happiness is a chocolate cake
That I always love to eat
Where I do as I please
Happiness is a rollercoaster
Hair flying in the breeze
Happiness is a sparkling sea
Waves lapping at my feet
Happiness is a chocolate cake
That I always love to eat
Friday, 12 June 2009
My World
My world is a flower waiting to blossom,
While facing trouble.
My world is a hot air balloon being set on fire,
While the edge of my eye start’s to bubble.
My world is a kingdom waiting for me to be crowned princess,
While I anxiously wait to find out what’s going to happen next.
My world is a creepy castle,
But I am still perplexed
While facing trouble.
My world is a hot air balloon being set on fire,
While the edge of my eye start’s to bubble.
My world is a kingdom waiting for me to be crowned princess,
While I anxiously wait to find out what’s going to happen next.
My world is a creepy castle,
But I am still perplexed
The Sun
The sun
The sun is a treasure chest full of gold
The gold shines through your face
The sun is the light of my heart
The sun is having a ridiculous race
The sun is an ice cream in a cone
The sun is my favourite place
The sun is like a hot bun baked
The sun is the end of my shoelace
My world
My world is a delicate flower,
That comes out in summer and spring,
My world is a beautiful eagle,
That’s about to spread its wings,
My world is a humongous tree,
That keeps on growing,
My world is a meandering river,
That keeps on flowing.
That comes out in summer and spring,
My world is a beautiful eagle,
That’s about to spread its wings,
My world is a humongous tree,
That keeps on growing,
My world is a meandering river,
That keeps on flowing.
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Junior Wordvoodoo Rocks
It is an amazing labyrinth of words
Every day I’m on just because it is Aladdin’s adventure
I always feel like I’m flying with the birds
I venture through word voodoo because every task rocks so I really do venture
If animals could talk they would really love it
Never is word voodoo blocked
That’s why I love it
So it really rocks
So I’m happy I’ve got it
Every day I’m on just because it is Aladdin’s adventure
I always feel like I’m flying with the birds
I venture through word voodoo because every task rocks so I really do venture
If animals could talk they would really love it
Never is word voodoo blocked
That’s why I love it
So it really rocks
So I’m happy I’ve got it
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
The Sun
The sun is a chili burning hot in my mouth,
It shines red glossy and really bright.
The sun is a flower blooming all pretty,
The same as flowers we depend on it's light.
The sun is an orange round big and strong,
The citrus rays put laughter on my face.
The sun is a beautiful bar of gold,
I wish I could carry the sun in my case.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
The Sun
A ray of sunshine is my only light,
Though it's called "The Moon" at night,
The sun is a fireball burning bright.
The sun is a source of light,
A natural one at that,
It's a rising sensation that can give you fright,
It's a massive star,
So big and fat.
Monday, 8 June 2009
Home
My home is the Empire State Building,
With Ground, 1st and 2nd floors,
My home is a labyrinth,
With at least 12 windows and doors,
My home is a pet shop,
With my guinea pigs and their little paws,
My home is the London Zoo,
With fish and sows and boars.
With Ground, 1st and 2nd floors,
My home is a labyrinth,
With at least 12 windows and doors,
My home is a pet shop,
With my guinea pigs and their little paws,
My home is the London Zoo,
With fish and sows and boars.
Earth
Earth is a weird place
The moon changes its phase
You change your coming of age
It all happens stage-by-stage
Life is weird
It is like a party
Craziness surrounds us
But earth is also funky
Your friends and family might not agree
But my agreement is up to me
Outside of earth is different
The planets have not got people
but maybe aliens
The moon changes its phase
You change your coming of age
It all happens stage-by-stage
Life is weird
It is like a party
Craziness surrounds us
But earth is also funky
Your friends and family might not agree
But my agreement is up to me
Outside of earth is different
The planets have not got people
but maybe aliens
I like earth
the way it is
Sunday, 7 June 2009
My World
My world is a labyrinth
It's easy to get lost.
My world is a lawn in winter
Glazed with glassy frost.
My world is a juggernaut
Hurtling down the road.
And at times my world is dynamite
Waiting to explode.
It's easy to get lost.
My world is a lawn in winter
Glazed with glassy frost.
My world is a juggernaut
Hurtling down the road.
And at times my world is dynamite
Waiting to explode.
Task 1: Metaphor Poem
To complete this task, you will first need to visit one of the most wonderful sites on the web: The Children's Poetry Archive.
It is an amazing website where you can read - and even listen to - some of the best poetry around for children of all ages, and is well worth a visit. Click here to go to the site.
You will also need to understand what a METAPHOR is. Unlike a SIMILE (which is when you describe something by saying it is LIKE something else), a METAPHOR is a way of describing something by saying that it IS something else.
To help you some more, here are some metaphors about the wordvoodoo blog:
For your task this week, you will need to look closely at a poem called Time by Valerie Bloom. Click here to read the poem. Why not have a listen to the poet reading the poem aloud too?
I love this poem for a number of reasons:
All poems MUST be posted by 6pm on Saturday 13th June 2009.
Good luck!
It is an amazing website where you can read - and even listen to - some of the best poetry around for children of all ages, and is well worth a visit. Click here to go to the site.You will also need to understand what a METAPHOR is. Unlike a SIMILE (which is when you describe something by saying it is LIKE something else), a METAPHOR is a way of describing something by saying that it IS something else.
To help you some more, here are some metaphors about the wordvoodoo blog:
- The blog is an ocean of words
- It is a maze with magic at the centre
- It is a blank page waiting to be written on.
- Ask your parents or your teacher to explain it for you
- Download the two excellent worksheets on this page
- Look at these examples from a Primary School in Suffolk
- Try out this 'Metaphor Quiz'
For your task this week, you will need to look closely at a poem called Time by Valerie Bloom. Click here to read the poem. Why not have a listen to the poet reading the poem aloud too?
I love this poem for a number of reasons:- Like some of the best poetry around, this poem is BOTH simple AND complicated. The language is simple and easy to understand - but what the poem is saying (about life, getting old, and the passage of time) is really serious and complex.
- I also love the way that Valerie Bloom uses such wonderful METAPHORS - and I love the way they are so original. When you write metaphors, the most important thing is to try and create ones that nobody has used before. The best writing is FRESH writing.
- Lastly, I love the way she uses rhyme. Her second, fourth, sixth and eighth lines all rhyme - but at no point does it seem like she is trying to FORCE them to do so. I talk to students a lot about THE RHYME TRAP: this is when a poet uses a word even if it doesn't make sense or isn't what they wanted to say - just because it rhymes. Valerie Bloom doesn't do this.
- You must decide on a title for your poem from the following choices: home; the sun; happiness; my world; or grown-ups.
- Your poem must be 8 LINES LONG. And, like in Valerie Bloom's poem, they should all be a similar length.
- You should then think of 4 metaphors for your chosen topic, each of which, like in Valerie Bloom's poem, should last for 2 lines.
- Your 2nd and 4th lines should rhyme with each other; and your 6th and 8th lines should also rhyme. If you need some help with finding rhymes, click here. Just make sure you avoid that RHYME TRAP!
- be as ORIGINAL as possible, saying things in new and fresh and interesting ways
- have FUN with language, taking risks with the words and phrases you use.
All poems MUST be posted by 6pm on Saturday 13th June 2009.
Good luck!
Welcome to Junior Wordvoodoo
Welcome to Junior Wordvoodoo!
Your journey towards amazing story and poetry writing starts here...
But, before we start, a few rules for the blog:
1. Everything you do on the blog MUST be your own work. This is the NUMBER 1 rule. Although it might be tempting to get help with the tasks - from your teacher, your parents, your friends - you MUST resist that temptation.
2. ALWAYS check your work thoroughly before you post it. Lots of children write and redraft their work in Microsoft Word first. Then, when they are completely happy that it is the BEST they can do AND has no careless mistakes - they copy and paste into BLOGGER. Why don't you do the same?
3. NEVER miss the deadline for each task. The blog can only work if EVERY child posts their work on time - and even missing the deadline by a day or two spoils the blog for EVERYONE else.
Please make sure you obey all of these rules - and we should all get along fine.
Now, how do you go about posting on the blog? Here are some simple instructions:
1. Go to www.blogger.com
2. Login with the email and password you used when you set up your BLOGGER account. This should take you to your DASHBOARD.
3. On your dashboard, there should be a list of all the blogs to which you belong. Underneath where it says 'Junior Wordvoodoo', click on the blue box which says NEW POST.
It is in this new window that you post your task. But make sure you remember:
- TITLE: Make sure you give each piece of work a title. This would either be the title of the poem or story you write.
- TOOLBAR: At the top of the window, there is a 'toolbar' which can help you 'format' your text. However, I would prefer you NOT to play around with the size and colour of what you write on the blog. So keep the layout simple please.
- LABELS: At the bottom of the window, there is a box called 'Labels for this post'. In here, you should write your BLOGGER ID (that is the name you created for yourself when you set up your account). Then, after a comma, write the Task number. For example: poemwriter, Task 1
- PUBLISH POST: When you are completely happy with your post, press PUBLISH POST and it will appear on the blog for everyone to see. If you want to save it first and come back to it, just click SAVE NOW - and it will still be there for you next time you log in.
If any of you have any questions at all, just EMAIL me and I will always reply very quickly.
Mr Savage
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
